Floating keeper for lock and latch bolts



Nov. 8, 1932. E. R. MITCHELL FLOATING KEEPER FOR LOCK AND LATCH BOLTS Original Filed July 14, 1927 2 SheetsSheet l INmwTo Nov. 8, 1932. E. R. MITCHELL FLOATING KEEPER FOR LOCK AND LATCH BOLTS Original Filed July 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEKTOE ZzkeZl Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERNEST R. MITCHELL, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-FIITHS TO J'OSEF CISAR, 0F PENFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA, AND ONE-FIFTH TO JOSHUA EPSTEIN AN D S. FISHER, BOTH .OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA FLOATING DEEPER FOR LOCK AND LATCH BOLTS Application filed July 14, 1927, Serial No. 205,880. Renewed Kay 81, 1930.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a floating keeper for lock and latch bolts and has for its primary object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character which is particularly applicable to the doors of motor vehicles to hold them immovable in their closed positions so as to prevent rattlin and to a considerable degree prevent sagging thereof.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the keeper that it will have a dual action, viz, the usual one of holding the door in a closed position, and another that consists in holding or supporting the free edge of the door on a sound-proof pad so as to relieve the metallic sounds incident to the jarring of the door, due to a vehicle passing over an uneven road bed.

With the present motor vehicle door construction, there is in addition to the latch, a door retainer, buffer or dovetail, which is secured to the door frame in such manner as to receive a lug or projection mounted on .the free edge of the door, said lug engaging a metallic guard means backed up or support ed by rubber blocks within a suitable housing, said rubber blocks being compressed as the lug enters between them, thus preventing said rattling.

Qne of the objects of my invention is to overcome the necessity of using the door retainer, buffer or dovetail, thereby eliminating a number of the operations and the expense of providing the dovetail parts in addition to the saving of the time, expense and operations for installing the dovetail.

A further object of the invention is to support the keeper plate upon a rubber block suitably housed to permit universal movement of said keeper plate.

YVith these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of a lock or latch and the keeper plate showing them mounted upon a door and door. frame.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the keeper.

Fig. 3 is an outer or front edge view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view lgflghe front end of the usual latch asing and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one form of the keeper casing or housing, showing clearly the cutout provided for the purpose of keeping the keeper plate free of the keeper casing.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an edge of the door frame showing the recess for the rubber supporting block.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a keeper plate and its rubber supporting block.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of another form of keeper plate with a portion of the rubber block broken away and shown in section to illustrate the manner of connecting the keeper plate thereto. I

Fig. 9 is also a similar view showing the arrangement of the parts when used in connection with the usual or present-day latch bolt, such as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a transverse-sectional view through the rubber block and the supported keeper plate showing how the rubber may be made to over lap the edge of the hole through the keeper plate.

In carrying out my invention as herein embodied, 15 represents the usual door frame of a motor vehicle which is ordinarily provided with a rabbet for coaction with the free edge of a door 16, the latter having mounted therein a lock or latch for holding the door in a closed position, operated in the usual or any well-known manner and which includes lock or latch shown herein. Where the entire lock or latch is to be constructed in accordance with this invention, I prefer that it shall include a bolt supporting bar 18 carrying the bolt head 19, having a substantially hemispherical working face or end 20 with a neck 21 passing through a hole in the projection 22 of the supporting bar l8,and having its inner end headed or riveted as at 23.

In the edge of the door frame 15 which coacts with'the free edge of the door, is mounted a resilient supporting member '24: preferably in the form of a rubber block, said rubber block being contained within a suitable metallic housing which completely encloses said rubber block after the manner of the usual door buffer, retainer or dovetail, or said rubber block may be mounted directly within a recess 25 cut into the door frame and covered by the housing 26 which has an aperture 27 in its front face, forming a part of or in communication with another aperture 28 in the outer end of wall of the housing. The apertures 27 and 28 are of smaller dimensions than the recess 25, so that the edges of the housing overlap the rubber block 2% and hold the latter in place when the housing is secured in position by suitable fastening devices, such as screws, passing through holes The rubber block supports the keeper plate 30 with the latter preferably embedded in the rubber block as plainly shown in igs. 7 8 and 9. The keeper plate may be fixed to the rubber block by rivets 31, Fig. 7 or by molding the rubber block about lugs 32, formed with the keeper plate as shown in Fig. 8, or they may be fixed to each other in any other desirable or well-known manner.

Where the lock or latch bolt has a hemispherical workin face or end, the keeper plate is provide with a circular hole 33, which registers with a cavity or opening 34: in the block and of a shape substantially corresponding to that of the bolt head, although it will be obvious that this is not essential or necessary, but for practical purposes the bolt head must snugly fit the hole in the keeper plate so that there shall be little or no play between the keeper plate and its bolt.

I have also found it advisable to upset or otherwise provide a flange 35 about the hole in the keeper plate to provide a greater bearing surface on the lock or latch bolt, and in order to guide said bolt to the keeper plate hole, a guide groove or guide way 36 may be formed in the keeper plate lengthwise thereof, runnin from the hole to a point adjacent the outer ree end of the keeper plate, said guide way preferably being tapered and increasing in depth from its outer end toward the hole.

Where the lock or latch bolt is of oblong construction, which is the usual present-day arrangement, as shown at 37, Fig. 4, then the ends of the bolt head are ground down or bevelled as at 38 to assist its entrance into the oblong hole 39 provided in the keeper plate 40, said hole aligning and registering with a similar shaped opening or cavity in tlie rubber block supporting said keeper p ate.

It might be well to state at this time that the outer free end of the keeper plate is curved inwardly so that its extreme outer edge lies adjacent a portion of the door frame when the parts are at rest, but engages said door frame when the lock or latch bolt first engages the keeper plate causing the latter to fulcrum on said extreme outer edge and provide for a rocking movement.

It might also be well to mention at this time that the width of the keeper plate is less than that of the aperture 28 in the casing or housing 26, and is so positioned rela tive thereto that under all ordinary conditions, said keeper plate will not contact with the walls of the housing. For the same purpose, the depth of the aperture 28 is greater than the thickness of the keeper plate and as that portion of said keeper plate which protrudes beyond the outer face of the rubber supporting block is substantially of the same thickness as the casing wall, said keeper plate will be flush with the outer face of the casing when the parts are at rest.

Under some conditions, it may be advisable to practically embed the bolt head into the rubber block and is particularly true when the edge of the hole in the keeper plate wears away, in which case the body of the rubber supporting block surrounding the cavity may be made tooverlap the edge of the hole in the keeper plate as shown in Fig. 10.

In practice, the keeper is mounted on the I edge of the door frame which coacts with the free edge of the door as shown in Fig. 1, the said door carrying the lock or latch provided with the usual lock bolt and located so that the lock bolt, or more particularly the head thereof, will coact with the keeper plate. As the door is swung or moved into a closed position, the outer end of the lock bolt will engage with the curved portion or tongue of the keeper plate forcing the extreme outer edge of the keeper plate against the door frame, after which the bolt will ride over the keeper plate and compress the rubber block with said extreme outer edge of the keeper plate as a fulcrum.

The riding of the lock bolt over the keeper plate will compress the rubber block until said lock bolt enters the hole in the keeper plate at which time the rubber block will expand to its normal condition and grip the lock bolt. When the lock bolt is in engagement with the keeper as above stated any movement of the door relative to its frame in any direction will be counteracted by the rubber supporting block so as to return said door to its normal position within the door frame. During these movements of the door, the keeper will follow the lock bolt so as to act as a buffer and since said keeper plate does not engage the housing, it is free to move slightly upward, downward, laterally, or transversely without causing any noise or rattling by reason of the elasticity of the rubber block.

From the fore oing description, it will be obvious that the keeper plate is mounted so as to have a full floating action, or in other words, no matter how or in what direction I the door may be moved relative to its frame,

when in a closed position, this will be per-- mitted within the limits of the resiliency of the rubber block without causing any of the objectionable metallic sounds due to the operation of a motor vehicle over an uneven road bed. I want it to be clearly understood that when the door is in the closed position the kegper plate engages only the bolt of the lock. t does not contact with any other part of the door or the standing post or pillar supporting the said rubber block, or other yieldable substance, in which the said keeper plate is mounted. With the exception of the lock bolt the keeper plate contacts only with the said rubber block, or yieldable mounting, but with nothing else when it is in the closed position. Also I desire to particularly point out the fact that all the advantages obtained by the use of the ordinary door buffer, re-

- tainer or dovetail, are obtained by the use of this device, at the same time, eliminating the cost of extra parts and the expense of installation.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown, as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. A keeper comprising, in combination, a housing having an aperture, yielding means in the housing, and a keeper plate supported by the yielding means within the aperture and out of contact with the housing.

2. A keeper comprising a yieldable block, and a keeper plate mounted on said block with a portion projecting beyond an edge of said block, said projecting portion being curved and provided with a tapering guideway gradually increasing in depth from the outer end toward a hole in the plate with which the guideway communicates, said hole aligningwith a cavity in the yieldable block.

3. In a keeper, a resilient block adapted to lie in a recess in a door frame, a keeper plate carried by said block and having a hole adapted to receive a lock or latch bolt after the latter has ridden over a portion thereof, said plate being supported entirely by the block out of contact with any part of the said door frame.

4. A device of the character stated comprising a combination of two separate cooperatlng parts, one of said parts'including a lock or latch bolt for attachment to a door and projecting from the free edge thereof, the other of said parts including a keeper plate having a hole to receive the lock bolt, a rubber block supporting the plate free of any adjacent objects, and means to mount the said block on a door frame with the plate in the path of travel of the lock bolt.

5. A device of the character stated comprising a combination of two separate cooperating parts, one of said'parts including a lock and latch bolt having a hemispherical end, said bolt being mounted on a door and projecting from the free edge thereof, the other of said parts including a rubber block for mounting upon a door frame and havin a cavity therein, means to secure said bloc to the door frame, a keeper plate carried by the block and supported out of contact with the block securing means, said plate having a round hole substantially in the path of travel of the lock bolt to receive the latter,

said hole aligning with the cavity in the block, and means surrounding the hole in the plate and projecting inwardly to provide an extended bearing surface for the bolt.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 in which the plate has a longitudinal guideway extending from a point adjacent its outer end to the hole therein, said guideway increasing in width and depth toward the hole.

7. A keeper including a rubber block having a cavity, 'and a keeper plate carried by said block and having a hole theret-hrough adapted to receive a bolt, said hole being larger than the cavity whereby a portion of {she block projects beyond the edge of the iole.

8. A floating keeper for lock and latch bolts comprising a frame member, yielding means in said frame member, and a keeper plate wholly supported by the yielding means and out of contact with the frame member.

9. A female-member for lock and latch devices comprising yielding means mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearingmember, and a keeper plate having an aperture formed therein for receiving a malemember mounted in said yielding means entirely out of contact with the said bearingmember for movement in a plurality of planes.

10. A female-member for lock and latch devices comprising a rubber block mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearingmember, a keeper plate having an aperture therein for receiving a male-member of the said lock mounted in said rubber block wholly out of contact with the said framemember for movement in a plurality of planes, a portion of said keeper plate extending a substantial distance beyond the said rubber block and entirely free of any support, the said extending portion forming a bearing surface for the male-member on its approach to the lock.

11. A female member for lock and latch devices comprising yielding means mounted on a door frame which functions as a supporting-member, a keeper plate having an aperture for receiving a male member of the sald lock and latch devices mounted in said yielding means for movement in a plurality of planes, an extension formed on the said keeper plate projecting a substantial distance beyond the said yielding means in the path of motion of said door, the said extension being adapted to contact with said malemember and guide same before it reaches its receiving aperture.

12. A female-member for lock and latch bolts comprising a rubber block having a cavity therein mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearing-member, and a keeper plate mounted in said rubber block entirely out of contact with the said bearingmember, the said keeper plate having an aperture formed therein positioned so as to reglster with the cavity in the said rubber block.

13. As an article of manufacture a femalemember for lock and latch bolts comprising a resilient member, a keeper plate having an aperture for receiving a male-member mounted in said resilient-member and extending a substantial distance beyond said resilient-member.

14. As an article of manufacture a femalemember for lock and latch bolts comprising a rubber block having a cavity formed therein, a keeper plate having an aperture formed therein and positioned so that the said aperture registers with the said cavity in the said rubber block, for receiving a male-member, mounted in said rubber block and extending a substantial distance beyond the edge of the said rubber block.

15. As an article of manufacture a femalemember for lock and latch bolts comprising a resilient member, a'keeper plate having an aperture for receiving the male-member mounted in said resilient-member, a substantial portion of the said keeper plate being out of contact with the said resilient member and free from any support over the entire non-contacting portion.

16. A look and latch device for doors consisting of separate cooperating male and female members, one carried by the door and the other by its cooperating frame as bearing members, and resilient means supporting one of said members entirely out of direct contact with its bearing member.

17. A lock and latch device for doors consisting of separate cooperating male and female members, one carried by the door and the other by the frame as bearing members, and a rubber block resiliently supporting one of said members entirely out of direct contact with its bearing member, whereby the said member is adapted to be moved in a plurality of planes.

18. A female member for lock and latch devices comprising yielding means mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearing member, and a keeper plate having an aperture formed therein for receiving a male member mounted in said yielding means entirely out of contact with the said bearing member whereby the said keeper plate is adapted to be moved in a plurality of planes. the said keeper plate havin a horizontal guiding groove formed therein for guiding the said male member to the said aperture and for actuating the door member to compensate for high or low door mounting.

19. A female member for lock and latch devices comprising a rubber block mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearing member, and a keeper plate having an aperture formed therein for receiving a male member mounted in said rubber block entirely out of contact with the said bearing member'whereby the said keeper plate is adapted to bemoved in a plurality of planes, the said keeper plate having a horizontal guiding groove formed therein for guiding the said male member to the said aperture and for actuating thedoor member to compensate for high or low door mounting.

20. A female member for lock and latch devices comprising yielding means mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearing member, and a keeper plate having an aperture formed therein for receivin a male member mounted in said yielding means entirely out of contact with the said bearing member whereby the said keeper plate is adapted to be moved in a plurality of planes, a portion of the said keeper plate extending a substantial distance beyond an edge of the said yielding means and entirely free of any support, a horizontal guiding groove formed in said keeper plate for guiding the said male member to the said aperture and for actuating the door member to compensate for high or low door mounting.

21. A female member for lock and latch devices comprising a rubber block mounted on a door frame which functions as a bearing member, and a keeper plate having an aperture formed therein for receiving a male member mounted in said rubber block entirely out of contact with the said bearing member whereby the said keeper plate is adapted to be moved in a pluralitv of planes, a portion of the said keeper plate extending a substantial distance beyond an edge of the said rubber block and entirely free of any support, a horizontal guiding groove formed in said kee er plate for guiding the said male member to the said aperture and for actuating the door member to compensate for high or low door mounting.

22. A lock and latch device for doors consisting of separate cooperating male and female members, one carried by the door and the other by the frame which serve as hearing members, one of the said members being supported only and directly by resilient means directly carried by its bearing member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

ERNEST R. MITCHELL. 

